Editorial Statement
The Scenic Rim Regional Council obligates Councillors to "parrot" an inane statement of democratic principles prior to any public statement. The Tamborine Mountain Daily Star shall no longer publish these "parrot statements". Nor will we inform the Scenic Rim Regional Council if any Councillor has made these statements to us prior to expressing their opinion. The requirement for Councillors to make "parrot statements" is authoritarian, undemocratic and not the Australian way.
The views expressed in the following column are those of Cr Derek Swanborough and not those of this publication.
Creative Arts AGM
It was my pleasure to attend the creative arts AGM last week.
We are very lucky to have such a strong organisation offering a broad range of arts and crafts, with artists and artisans willing to share their lifetime skills and knowledge.
This is a place where everyone is made welcome and you are sure to meet interesting people and make lasting friendships.
Congratulations to incoming president Janet Walsh and thank you to outgoing president Sonia Wagstaff for steering the ship so capably during the last 12 months.
Tamborine Mountain State School Senior Band
Did you know that TMSS band won overall (Gold) at the Silkstone Eisteddfod? This competition has been running for 60 years now and is the one to win. The senior band comprises 31 children from years 6 and 7. Well done to all the students and families involved, and I have to mention instrumental music teacher Steve Bruxton.
I have seen so many children excel at music because of the teaching and mentoring from Steve. Playing an instrument is a livelong skill and when learned at this age is a gift that is never regretted, aids in learning, social awareness, team building and builds self-esteem necessarily for personal and career success.
Rates spent on public relations
The Fassifern Guardian newspaper reported on a decision the Council CEO has made to appoint a PR consulting firm Mercer PR for two days per week at $1000 per day. The first job it seemed was to write a number of press releases extolling the Mayor and Scenic Rim’s marvellous financial management and then the next job was to tell a local newspapers how to remove information links about me from their website.
Consultant Lyall Mercer also in his first week on the job wanted withdrawal of a letter to the editor critical of a council decision about the ratepayers being asked to find $10 million for the Beaudesert bypass. With so many people struggling to pay their rates I think this decision is simply wrong. My last rate payment was $1099 and I’m not happy all of it went to paying a crises management consultant for one day (add GST).
Are you happy to be paying for the rest of the days? What I am asking for the probity of this appointment to be examined. I have given notice of my intention to raise the following motion.
“That Council contract an independent auditor to examine the probity of the CEO’s engagement (under delegated authority), of publicity and crises management firm Mercer PR, and its role in writing press releases for Mayor John Brent, in view of this business’s know close association and work for the Liberal National Party (LNP), the high cost to ratepayers and the Mayor’s intention to either contest the mayoralty or LNP pre-selection for the state seat of Beaudesert in coming months.
Press release spin?
It don’t think too many Councils’ were pleased about a press release issued by Lyall Mercer saying that “RATEPAYERS BENEFIT AS OTHER COUNCILS LOOK TO SCENIC RIM FOR ANSWERS”.
It went on to discuss a miraculous turn around in Council’s financial fortunes last financial year, (actually flood relief money was the main reason) and advertised that Council CEO Craig Barke was talking at a November accountant’s conference about this and infrastructure issues.
I wrote to most of the Councillors in SEQ to ask them if they were one of the ones seeking answers from Scenic Rim. It seems from my replies received that no one knew anything about the Scenic Rim financial turnaround nor had they considered looking to it for answers to anything. Guess it was designed purely for local consumption only. $1000 a day?
Should we employ Jonathon Holmes from Media Watch to keep an eye on how your media rate dollars are to be spent up to the next elections?
Rising staff costs impacting rates
I am conscious of the increasing rate burden and its impact on family budgets. I have fought for four years now to lower the rates and contain costs. I believe we have taken too much in rates and that we are out of kilter with SEQ Councils for the services we get.
My views have been vindicated in annual performance reports showing that Council keeps taking more rate money but continually is not able to complete its capital works programs, or spend the money it takes for operational costs. The recent Morrison Low report by former Logan City CEO Gary Kellar on Council performance also made amazing revelations.
I have written that operating margins have never achieved budgeted targets, until last year, when Council was saved by the floods because of the massive grant money received for restoration.
Transparency and Accountability
The CEO has been given delegated authority to spend a $26 million dollar staff budget, and Councillors are not briefed on industrial and labour issues. Councillors have also given him power to spend one million dollars in any one transaction. I have sought information on concerns raised that hundreds of thousands of dollars are being paid out in staff separation payments.
The CEO has not previously reported on the exercise of his delegations, despite the large dollar values involved and having an impact on Council finances and rates.
I have proposed the following motion for the next ordinary meeting of Council.
"That the Councillors have the opportunity to discuss with the CEO in a closed meeting at the September Corporate and Community Services Committee, the increasing costs of redundancy, termination and ex-gratia payments to Council Staff, how these CEO's delegations have been exercised over this term of Council, and the recruitment policy with respect to external advertising of senior vacant positions".
In order to be informed about this discussion, I have requested information from the CEO on the details and circumstances of these large payouts and he has advised that I or any other Councillor are not entitled to it under privacy legislation. I have to disagree with his interpretation of the Local Government Act and Information Privacy Act.
If this is the case, who holds a CEO accountable for his actions if they are beyond scrutiny by the Mayor or any other Councillor? Is he saying no one can question or review his decisions?
This is a decision I hope to pursue more formerly as I think it is a local decision and one that will fail any reasonable challenge.
Footpath completed on Hartley Road
Council workers have done a very good job on the footpath past Cedar Creek Winery. It was a joint project funded 50% by Council and 50% from the State Government. We need to finish the link along Holt Road as soon as possible. It is certainly a safer path then it was before for students walking to school.
Council information secrecy culture
As everyone knows, I don’t think what I’m about to discuss would concern any other Councillors but it concerns me. CEO Craig Barke has now ruled that the only way councillors can now get information is to request it in writing or by email to a designated manager, with a cc to a Director. Someone said to me this is like Germany in the 1930’s.
I have issued a press release on my website www.derekformayor.com about this.
I have written to all councillors in SEQ as far north as Bundaberg and sent them our CEO guidelines to investigate and see if this would work in their Councils. It seems this was very enlightening to many and from replies received to date, none are unworkable as this.
Once again I think this decision needs to be appropriately challenged.
Keeping busy
It’s been a busy fortnight. I’ve been on Boonah community radio, talked to residents and businesses in Boonah and Kalbar, been interviewed on ABC radio news concerning the Review Panel hearing last Wednesday on the Councils code of conduct “Parrot” provisions.
No decision has been brought down yet.
On 30th August I receive the 625 documents relating to the Director General's decision to let the Mayor off on my misconduct charge, and am preparing documents for a Judicial Review of that process, in the Supreme Court.
I attended the Beaudesert Meals on wheels AGM and listened to the great work they do including delivering meals to Tamborine Mountain. They have a very active committee headed by former Beaudesert Times editor John Bartlett.
I have sought an investigation from the CEO as to why I was presumably kept in the dark about a town planning inspection the applicant expected I would attend, in my Division, that was attended by two council Directors, a planning manager and four other councillors.
It was my pleasure to be involved in the strategic planning for the future Arts and Artisans Centre for the mountain. This is a long term project and one I see will happen in the future, just like the sports grounds.
At Council meetings we agree unanimously on 95% of decisions. Yes I guess it would be easy to accept everything and agree with everyone and I would still get paid the same. Sometimes however things happen about principles. Decisions come and go but principles have a more enduring legacy and I think are worth fighting for if you are in a position to defend them from ignorance and self-interest.
Main Roads Issues
It was good to see that the Main Road barricade on Main Western road had a hole cut into it and modifications made to allow access to a property entry. It can be done and is what is needed also to allow emergency access to the off leash dog area and also for the houses on the western side of Geissman road to have pedestrian access to the footpath.
I am still waiting on an answer to this, and get the feeling it’s in the too hard basket. I’ll keep calling till we get a reasonable outcome.
Consultation in Library
Just a reminder that I meet usually meet with residents at the Tamborine Mountain Library on the second Wednesday of the month from 4:00 to 6:00pm. I will be there next on Wednesday 14th September 2011.
Please call me or leave a text message if you require an appointment or simply drop in. My mobile number is 0447206006. I am always available for on-site meetings to address resident’s issues as required. The best email address to make a personal appointment isderek@derekformayor.com. You can also join me on Facebook at Derek.Swanborough, or visit my website at www.derekformayor.com.